Free speech stumble disappointing

March 01, 2017

Senator Cory Bernardi marked yesterday's tabling of the Parliamentary report on Freedom of Speech in Australia as disappointing and a 'huge fail'. The report recommends more layers of bureaucracy and changes to the complaints process but leaves the key problem untouched.

"How is it reasonable or fair that you can find yourself answering to some biased tribunal like the Human Rights Commission, or in court, for hurting someone else's feelings?" Senator Bernardi remarked.

"At the very least we need to remove 'offend' and 'insult' from section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act," the Senator added, "I have a Bill in the Senate that does exactly that." Senator Bernardi has declared he intends to proceed with his private member's bill, which is co-signed by 12 out of the 13 Coalition backbench senators (noting front-benchers can not support private member's bills), and all of the current crossbench senators except the Nick Xenophon Team senators and Jacqui Lambie.

Pictured: Senator Bernardi expresses his frustration on Twitter.

A petition page in support of reforming 18C has already attracted tens of thousands of signatures - you can view and sign it here.

Share this important information with your family, friends and mates - Like Australian Conservatives on Facebook to stay updated.